Method for fabricating a metal high-k gate stack for a buried recessed access device

ABSTRACT

A method for fabricated a buried recessed access device comprising etching a plurality of gate trenches in a substrate, implanting and activating a source/drain region in the substrate, depositing a dummy gate in each of the plurality of gate trenches, filling the plurality of gate trenches with an oxide layer, removing each dummy gate and depositing a high-K dielectric in the plurality of gate trenches, depositing a metal gate on the high-K dielectric in each of the plurality of gate trenches, depositing a second oxide layer on the metal gate and forming a contact on the source/drain.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/907,001 filed May 31, 2013 the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

Certain embodiments of the disclosure relate to nonvolatile memory anddynamic random access memory (DRAM). More specifically, certainembodiments of the disclosure relate to a method and apparatus forfabricating a metal/high-k gate stack for a buried recessed accessdevice.

BACKGROUND

Many types of electronic devices include data cells having a singletransistor. Typically, the transistor controls whether a stimulus (e.g.,a current or voltage) is applied to, or by, a data element (e.g., amemory element, an imaging element, or other device configured to outputdata, such as various kinds of sensors). Often a large number of dataelements are disposed in an array, and the transistor allows individualdata elements in the array to be selected. For example, certain types ofdynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells include both a capacitor,which functions as a data element, and a single transistor, whichfunctions as an access device, connected to the capacitor. The capacitorusually stores data by storing a charge that is representative of data(e.g., a 0 or a 1 in a single-bit device, or a 00, 01, 10, or 11 in atwo-bit device), and the transistor typically controls access to thecapacitor by controlling the flow of current to and from the capacitor,allowing current to flow during reading and writing and preventingcurrent from flowing when retaining data.

Often the data elements are arranged in an array, e.g., generally inrows and columns. Data cells within the array are accessed, e.g.,written to or read from, through circuitry near the periphery of thearray. For instance, sense amplifiers or other sensing circuitry areoften positioned adjacent to arrays of data cells for reading data.Similarly, address decoders, e.g., row and column address decoders, areoften disposed adjacent to the array for addressing particular datacells or groups of data cells.

As the footprints of such devices become smaller, the components of thedevice may become smaller and/or denser for a given storage capacity.Additionally, some structures may be more vertical (i.e., less planarwith respect to the substrate) to reduce footprint size. In suchdevices, construction of the data elements and the support structures(e.g., digitlines, wordlines, etc.) may present challenges and may limitscaling such devices to smaller footprints and higher densities.

Further, in conventional device formation, polysilicon layers are usedas gate electrodes. However, the polysilicon layers must be doped inorder to achieve a desired work function. Unfortunately, polysilicongate electrodes suffer from a depletion effect. The depletion effectoccurs when the portion of the gate electrode nearest an underlyingoxide layer is depleted of dopants, causing the gate electrode layer tobehave like an insulating layer, leading to device degradation andeventual malfunction. Silicon oxide is commonly used as an insulatinglayer. A thinner silicon oxide is required to increase gate capacitance,causing high drive current. However thin silicon oxide causes high gateleakage current, leading to excessive power consumption in mobiledevices. For high performance CMOS applications where high dielectricconstant (high-k) layers are applied as a replacement for silicon oxide,the polysilicon gate interacts with the high-k film because of the Fermipinning effect, resulting in a high threshold voltage and poortransistor drive performance. Metal layers are needed as gate electrodesif high-k dielectric layers are used for CMOS transistors. The workfunction close to Si band edges is effective to achieve low thresholdvoltage for CMOS transistors. However the work function shifts to theband middle from the band edge if a high temperature treatment isperformed after the formation of the gate electrode.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus forfabricating a metal/high-k gate stack with a low temperature process fora buried recessed access device.

SUMMARY

An apparatus and/or method is provided for fabricating a metal/high-kgate stack for a buried recessed access device substantially as shown inand/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as setforth more completely in the claims.

These and other features and advantages of the present disclosure may beappreciated from a review of the following detailed description of thepresent disclosure, along with the accompanying figures in which likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-6 together illustrate a first process for fabricating a gate fora buried recess access device (BRAD) in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention, where:

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrates a first step in a process for fabricating a gatefor a BRAD for nonvolatile and dynamic RAM in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a second step of the process for fabricating agate for a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a third step in the process of fabricating a gate fora BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth step in the process of fabricating a gatefor a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates a fifth step in the process of fabricating agate for a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth step in the first process of fabricating agate for a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7-12 together illustrate a second process for fabricating a gatefor a BRAD in accordance with embodiments of the present invention,where:

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate a first step in the second process of fabricatinga gate for a BRAD according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a second step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a third step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrates a fifth step in the second process offabricating a gate for a BRAD according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention; and

FIG. 12 illustrates a sixth and final step in the second process offabricating a gate for a BRAD.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain implementations may be found in an apparatus and/or method forfabrication of a metal/high k dielectric gate stack for a buried recessaccess devices (BRAD). According to one embodiment, a dummy gate made ofsilicon oxide is formed, along with an electrode composed ofpolysilicon. Silicidation is performed and then silicon nitride isdeposited on the silicide. The dummy gate electrode and oxide are thenremoved, and a metal/high k dielectric gate is deposited in thetrenches, along with the contacts for the source/drain of thetransistor. FIGS. 1-6 depict a first process for forming a BRAD inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIGS.7-12 depict a second process for formation of the BRAD in accordancewith exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrates a first step in a process for fabricating a gatefor a BRAD for nonvolatile and dynamic RAM in accordance with exemplaryembodiments of the present invention. The fabricated BRAD may generallycomprise a shallow trench isolation (STI) to form a silicon region 103in a substrate 101. A silicon oxide 112 and a polysilicon layer 106 aredeposited on the substrate 101. The STI is then formed by silicon oxide102 and silicon nitride 104 and silicon oxide 114, disposed atop thesubstrate 101. BRADs and other devices like transistors, capacitors andresistors in substrate 101 are isolated by the STI. The substrate 101may be a silicon substrate, for example crystalline silicon (e.g.,Si<100> or Si<111>), strained silicon, doped or undoped polysilicon, aIII-V or II-VI compound substrate, a silicon germanium (SiGe) substrate,an epi-substrate, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or the like. Ifthe devices in the substrate 101 are electrically isolated, the siliconnitride is optional.

FIG. 1 depicts a mask used to etch the gate trench for the BRADtransistor 100 into a silicon substrate 101 and the STI. The BRAD 100 isused to form the buried wordlines on the substrate 101. According toexemplary embodiments of the present invention, an additional STI (notshown) is also formed in the back of the silicon region 103 to adjustthe width of the BRAD.

The polysilicon 106 is patterned using a masking material (not shown)for forming trenches 108. The formed trenches 108 are initiallypatterned on the polysilicon layer 106 via photolithography or otherlithographic processes. The trenches 108 are formed by using a hardmask, deposited on the polysilicon layer 106, such as photoresist todefine exposed regions. The defined exposed regions have a width similarto the width of the eventually formed trenches 108 and may be patternedwith any lithographic process.

The trenches 108 are formed atop the substrate 101 with a dry etch orother suitable etch process that etches the polysilicon layer 106, butdoes not etch the oxide layer 112 deposited on the silicon region 103,leaving portions of the polysilicon layer 106. The mask and any excessmaterial may be removed from the substrate 100 via a hydrofluoric acidclean or other suitable process.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a second step of the process for fabricating agate for a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 2A depicts extending the trenches 108, etching into thesubstrate 101. Once the trenches 108 are etched, another oxide layer 210is deposited in the trenches 108. Polysilicon is then deposited in thetrenches 108 on the oxide layer 210. Subsequently, the polysilicon 106is only etched to form the dummy gate electrodes 204. Another oxidelayer 206 is deposited on the dummy gate electrodes 204 to fill thetrenches 108.

FIG. 2B depicts implanting a source/drain region 200 in the substrate101. A silicon nitride 207 is deposited on the substrate 101. Then thesilicon nitride 207 is etched only on the region 103 with lithographpattern (not shown) and the polysilicon 106 is selectively removed bydry etch or wet etch to expose the oxide 112 and implant thesource/drain region 200 next to each of the trenches 108. Then a thermaltreatment is performed to activate the implanted impurities in thesource/drain regions 200. The process temperature is greater than 1000degree C.

FIG. 2C depicts the formation of silicide on the source/drain region200. The silicon oxide 112 is removed on the source/drain region 200.Silicidation is then performed on the source/drain regions 200 to form asilicide layer 202. Ti, Co, Ni and Pt are used for the silicidationprocess with some thermal treatment greater than 500 degree C. andcleaning steps to form the silicidation layer, according to well-knownconventional processes.

FIG. 3 illustrates a third step in the process of fabricating a gate fora BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 3 depicts depositing silicon nitride 300 over thestructure created thus far. The silicon nitride fills the gaps betweenoxide regions of the gate electrode. Subsequently, because the surfaceof the silicon nitride is not planar, the surface of the silicon nitridelayer 300 is planarized via chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) orother suitable planarization processes known to those of ordinary skillin the art. The CMP process smooths the surface of the silicon nitride300 using chemical etching and free abrasive polishing and removes thesilicon nitride 104.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fourth step in the process of fabricating a gatefor a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 4 depicts removal of the dummy gate electrodes 204 asshown in FIG. 2C. The dummy gate oxide 210 is removed from the trenches108 using an etch selective to the oxide layer 102 and the polysiliconused for the dummy gate electrode 204, and not selective to the siliconnitride layer 300. Therefore, the oxide layer 210 and polysilicon 204are removed, while the nitride layer 300 remains.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrates a fifth step in the process of forming a BRAD inaccordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5Adepicts deposition of the high K dielectric layer 500 on the sides andbottom of etched trenches 108, after the oxide layer 210 and the dummygate electrode 204 are removed in the fourth step of FIG. 4.

According to FIG. 5B, in place of the dummy gates 206, a metal gate 502is deposited in the trenches 108 on the high K dielectric 500. Accordingto exemplary embodiments, the metal gate 502 is composed of TiN, Ti,TiAlNi, TiSi, Ni, NiSi, Hf, HfSi, W, Ta, TaSi, Co, CoSi, Ru, AlN or thelike. After the metal gate 502 is deposited and selectively etched tocontrol the overlap distance between the source/drain regions 200 andthe metal gate 502, an oxide layer 510 is filled on the metal gate 502in the trenches 108.

FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth step in the first process of fabricating agate for a BRAD in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention. FIG. 6 depicts forming the electrode 600 from the siliconnitride 300 stacked on the source/drain region 200. The silicon nitride300 is selectively removed by a dry etch or a wet etch to leave theoxide layer 510, the high K dielectric 500 and the silicide layer 202. Ametal layer 300 is deposited on the substrate 101. Then the metal layer300 is planarized by CMP to electrically isolate the metal layer 600 onthe source/drain regions 202. The metal layer 600 works as a contact toconnect between the source/drain regions 202 and interconnections.Subsequently, other well known steps in semiconductor processing areperformed to complete the device 100. In addition, a memory cell iselectrically connected to either node of the source region or the drain.

As stated above with regard to FIGS. 1-6, the high temperature thermaltreatments to activate the source/drain region 200 and form the silicidelayer 202 are performed before the formation of the metal gate 502. Alow temperature process is provided for the metal gate 502 to avoid theshift of work function.

FIGS. 7A-12 illustrate a second process of fabricating a gate for a BRAD700 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.According to this embodiment, SiO2 dummy gates are used and gatetrenches are formed after the formation of the source/drain regions.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrates a first step in the second process offabricating a gate for a BRAD 700 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. Initially, the device 700 comprises a siliconsubstrate 701. A silicon region 702 is formed on the substrate 701. Anoxide layer 702 is conformally deposited on the silicon region 703.According to exemplary embodiments, the oxide layer 702 is comprised ofsilicon oxide (SiO2). According to exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, an additional STI (not shown) is also formed in the back ofthe silicon region 703 to adjust the width of the BRAD.

A silicon oxide layer 702 and a polysilicon layer 708 are deposited onthe substrate region 703. The STI is then formed by a silicon oxidelayer 702, a silicon nitride layer 104 and a silicon oxide layer 705,deposited atop the substrate 701, respectively. BRADs and other deviceslike transistors, capacitors and resistors in substrate 701 are isolatedby the STI.

In FIG. 7B, a lithographic process forms a mask on the polysilicon layer708. As the masking material etches through the polysilicon layer 708the initial trenches 710 are formed in the polysilicon layer 708. Then,a second oxide layer 712 is filled in the initial trenches 710 to act asdummy gate oxides. The oxide layer (e.g., SiO2) 712 effectively formsdummy gates.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD 700 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. In this step, a silicon nitride layer 804 patterned bylithograph and dry etch is formed only to open the silicon region 703like the first process. Then, the polysilicon deposited on the activeareas is removed using an etch selective to polysilicon, while the oxidelayer 712 remains leaving empty regions 806. The oxide layer 713 alsoremains after the formation of the empty regions 806.

The source/drain regions 802 are implanted into the substrate 701through the oxide layer 713 between the areas defined by the oxidecolumns 710, i.e. regions 806. Then a thermal treatment is performed toactivate the implanted impurities in the source/drain regions 802. Theoxide columns 710 works as dummy gates to form the source/drain regions802. In addition, no formation of the trenches for the dummy gates helpsthe reduction of defects in the source/drain regions 802, resulting inimproved impurity activation.

Subsequently, the oxide layer 713 is removed on the source/drain region802. Silicidation is then performed on the source/drain regions 820 toform a silicide layer 800. Ti, Co, Ni and Pt are used with a thermaltreatment greater than 500 degree C. and cleaning steps are performed toform the silicidation layer, according to well-known conventionalprocesses.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD 700 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The previously empty regions 806 are deposited with a siliconnitride layer 900 to protect the silicide layer 800 during the belowsteps. The nitride layer 901 rises above the plane of the device 700 insome instances; therefore, a CMP process is then performed to polish thesilicon nitride 900 on the dummy gate stack to planaraize the surface ofthe device 700. In addition the silicon nitride layer 104 is alsoremoved during the CMP.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fourth step in the second process of fabricating agate for a BRAD 700 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. An etching process etches the silicon substrate 701 forminggate trenches 1002.

The etch is selective to the silicon, but not to the hard mask of thenitride layer 900 and the silicon oxide 705. According to someembodiments, the etching process is a dry etch process or a wet etchprocess. The gate trenches 1002 are etched deeper than the source/drainregions 802.

FIGS. 11A-11B illustrates a fifth step in the second process offabricating a gate for a BRAD 700 according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention. In FIG. 11A, the high K dielectric 1000 isdeposited on the sides and the bottom of the trenches 1002. According toan exemplary embodiment, the high K dielectric material may be HfO2,HfOlO2, HfSiO, Ta2O5, Al2O3, ZrO2 or the like.

In FIG. 11B, the metal gates 1102 are deposited on the high k dielectric1000 in the trenches 1002. According to exemplary embodiments, the metalgate 502 is composed of TiN, Ti, TiAlNi, TiSi, Ni, NiSi, Hf, HfSi, W,Ta, TaSi, Co, CoSi, Ru, AlN or the like. Subsequently, the trenches 1002are filled with an oxide layer 1104.

FIG. 12 illustrates a sixth and final step in the second process offabricating a gate for a BRAD 700. The silicon nitride 900 isselectively removed by a dry etch or a wet etch to leave the oxide layer1002, the high K dielectric 1000 and the silicide layer 800. A metallayer 950 is deposited on the substrate 701. Then the metal layer 950 isplanarized by CMP to electrically isolate the metal layer 950 on thesource/drain regions 802. The metal layer 950 works as a contact toconnect between the source/drain regions 202 and interconnections.Subsequently, other well known steps in semiconductor processing areperformed to complete the device 700. In addition, a memory cell iselectrically connected to either node of the source region or the drain.

As discussed above with regard to the second process described in thisinvention, a low temperature process is provided for the metal gate 1102to avoid the shift of the work function, because the high temperaturethermal treatments to activate the source/drain region 802 and to formthe silicide layer 800 are performed before the formation of the metalgate 1102.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference tocertain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedwithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition,many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation ormaterial to the teachings of the present disclosure without departingfrom its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosurenot be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that thepresent disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scopeof the appended claims.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A semiconductor device, comprising: a substrate; aplurality of trenches formed in the substrate; a plurality of regionsformed in the substrate, wherein each region is separated from anadjacent region by one of the trenches; a plurality of electrodes,wherein each region in the plurality of regions includes an electrode; aplurality of metal gates, wherein a metal gate is located in an end ofeach of the trenches opposite a first surface of the substrate; aplurality of oxide layers, wherein an oxide layer is located in an endof each of the trenches adjacent the first surface of the substrate. 12.The semiconductor device of claim 11, wherein the trenches extend from afirst surface of the substrate.
 13. The semiconductor device of claim11, wherein for each region the included electrode is located betweeneach of the regions and the first surface of the substrate.
 14. Thesemiconductor device of claim 11, wherein each of the electrodes extendsat least a first distance from the surface of the substrate.
 15. Thesemiconductor device of claim 14, wherein each of the oxide layersextends at least a second distance from the first surface of thesubstrate, and wherein the first distance is less than the seconddistance
 16. The semiconductor device of claim 11, further comprising: aplurality of silicide layers, wherein a silicide layer is located ineach of the trenches, and wherein in each trench the silicide layerseparates the metal gate from the oxide layer.
 17. The semiconductordevice of claim 11, wherein the regions are source/drain regions. 18.The semiconductor device of claim 11, further comprising: a plurality ofdielectric layers, wherein each of the trenches includes a dielectriclayer.
 19. The semiconductor device of claim 11, further comprising: aplurality of silicide layers, wherein for each of the trenches asilicide layer is disposed between the metal gate and the oxide layer.20. The semiconductor device of claim 11, wherein the plurality ofregions are each source/drain regions.